Acting Dean’s Message

The College of Humanities and Education, also known as CHE, comprises of three schools: School of Communication, Language and Literature (SCLL); School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) and School of Education (SOE).

The notable achievements of the College since the establishment of FNU in 2010 to date are as follows:

  1. The review of CHE’s Organization Structure from having 4 Schools (SCLL, SCA, SSS & SOE) previously to the current status of 3 Schools (SCLL, SAH & SOE)
  2. The semesterisation of all its programmes in 2017 which has been offered to new admissions in Semester 1 2018. This major exercise has led to the review of the programmes in consultation with the stakeholders through the Industry Advisory Committee.
  3. The development of undergraduate programmes by SCLL and SAH marks the beginning of many newer ones to be developed based on demands of society, industry and the job market.
  4. The development of Graduate programmes by SAH and SOE ranging from Postgraduate, Masters and Phd.
  5. The establishment of the positions of Associate Dean Learning & Teaching and Associate Dean Research with the respective college committees to ensure that the core business of learning, teaching and research in the College is raised to levels of excellence
  6. The College initiated the self-review of the Bachelor of Education and associated programmes with the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities in 2019.

The key programmes for the college is the teacher education programmes complemented by new undergraduate programmes in Arts and Humanities.

The Fiji National University is a self-accrediting body so all its programmes have been accredited and recognised by the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) who is the national regulatory agency for all Higher Education Institutions in Fiji. The College is currently working on the completion of the fulfilment of FHEC’s Programme recording requirements. The College through its Schools and Departments will have to prepare for international accreditation of all its programmes for global recognition.

The College offers a handful of TVET programmes based on the demands of the industry and job market locally and internationally as follows:

The Ageing and Community Support Care programme continues to attract increasing numbers from people who are mature and mostly semi-retired professionals looking for new opportunities in the carer industries. The popular evening classes for Ageing and Community Support Care is sustaining the programme.

Film and TV is a strategic growth area for CHE, FNU and the emerging film industry in Fiji. It has continued to respond well to the demands of different stakeholders both nationally and internationally and provides a high demand support service for international film crews who come into the country to do shooting.

The Music department provides a certificate programme, with the FNU brass band continuing to be a popular item in national festivals and with health promotion activities among communities.

Media and Journalism (M&J) has a robust hands-on approach to media and journalism in the field and working partnerships with media outlets like the Fiji Sun, Fiji TV, FBC Radio and TV continue to move M&J from strength to strength.

Hairdressing has continued to provide a service in the personal grooming sector in the primary urban centres in Fiji, involved in enhancing and up-skilling hairdressers in the industry, and is assisting in setting up the Fiji Hairdresser’s Association, undertake practicum schedules with retirement homes and corporate clients in addition to providing make-up services during the annual Fiji Fashion Week.

The Sports Science Programmes focuses on Sports development and also supports the promotion of Health and Wellness by the Ministry of Health and a healthy population by the Fiji Government. Sports Organizations and Sporting Federations have indicated their full support for the programmes during the stakeholder meetings and consultation.

Graphic Arts and Design provide basic graphic arts expertise to a small class of students and also assists in undertaking signage work for FNU.

I look forward to welcoming you to the College of Humanities and Education.

Professor Mesake Dakuidreketi
Acting Dean – College of Humanities and Education (CHE)
Fiji National University